National Republican., 1887-10-14
A QUARTER OF A CENTURY.
The Washington OF the Present and
Twenty. Five Years Ago.

DHpOllS huteftiSCT, gives Ine lOllOWinR iheet-
es,lpg account OF Washington as contrasted
with the city twenty-five years ago:
The contrast OF the Washington Of to-day
with that Of twenty-five years ago is indeed
marvellous. To the stranger, more espe-
cially to the many thousands drawn hlther
during the stirring times OF 1S6l-65, the
changes wrought cannot fail TO afford
subject at once startling and difficult OF
realization. What brought about this
change In such short period, and what
mighty mind and mastery hand was instru-
mental In efre, ting such wonderful trans
formation is uppermost In the minds o'
every one that visits the capital OF the oa'
tivn. These questions are easy OF solution
The close OF the war found Washington
In a most deplorable and chaotic condt.
tion. Its streets and avenues, from
long usage by artillery aud heavy army
wagons, were terribly cut up. Its parks
ana reservations had been utilized for bar
racks and hospital purposes, and, alto
gether, Washington, at that time, was the
most undesirable and unattractive place
the Imagination could conceive. In wet or
rainy weather It's wide and unpaved streets
were converted into verltable morass, and
in dry and windy, the vast clouds OF sand
and dust arising therefrom, subjected one
to all the Ills and discomforts OF Sahara
Such, In fact. was the condition aud 40.
mentioned. This condition OF things lasted
several years after the war, greatly to the
disgust of the entire country. The people
Of the Mississippi valley, mindful OF It's
growing strength and power, at once took
advantage of this feeling and were
clsmorous for the removal OF the seat OF
government to a more central location
west Of the Mississippi river. This move
ment rapidly assumed shape and had at
talntd such gigantic proportions that In
1859 convention, representing sixteen
states, assembled ia st. Louis for this pur
pose. IL was Ootable gathering OF men
Of brains and Influence, and their persist
ency In urgi q the removal OF the seat OF
government from Washington was begin
ming to have its effect Ia the halls OF our
national legislature. The antagonism oil
the east to the movement, and the strong
arguments brought to bear, that In this aye
Of electricity aud rapid railroad tranporta
tion Washington was central enough rail-
practical pui poses These arguments werr
supplemented with great force that the cit,
bore the name of the father Of his country
Its designer and founder. This, together
with the unremittiDg efforts OF our citi
zeDs, in which Gov A. X. Shepherd took II
leading part. finally induced Congress, iu
february, 1871, to reorganiZe the city uu
der territorial form OF government
Henry ID Cooke, brother OF Jay Cooke, the
eminent banker, was made governor, aud,
at the same time, board OF public works,
consisting Of five members, Of which A X
Shepherd was president, was established.
Gen Grant at this time was President OF
the United States. Having always evinced
friendly interest IN Washington and
having unlimited confidence in Gov.
Shepherd, gave him the full weight Of his
power and influence. Invested with plenarv
and extraordinary powers Gov. Shepherd
.aI hta 1ntt 10 ylx,
grasped the situation and was fully alive to
the danger threatening Washington as the
seat OF government. He saw Mt once the
imnortance and necessity Of speedy aud
determined action in sllencing the clamor
and. overcoming the prejudIces existing
throughout the country, especially In the
west. His foresight, executive ability,
comprehensive mind, and indomitab!e viii
| found him man equal to the emer'
| gency. lie at once Initiated aud car.
ried into effect grand and compre'
| hensive system of improvements, which
| from the magnitude OF the undertaking In
| volyed an expenditure of many millions.
For this he incurred the animoslty Of some
| of our uDprogressivc, wealthy old fossils,
who to day are living in ailluence con-
| eequent upon the appreciation OF real
estate held by them mainly through Gov
| Shepherds stupendous efforts. Gov. Shep
| herd felt that ho had duty to perform to
| his native city, ard, regardless Of all oppo-
| sition, fought his way through, and laid the
| foundation OF what is now destined to be-
| come I'M the not distant future the most
beautiful and attractive city In the world
| - Upon the resignation OF Gov. Cooke,
President Grant appointed Mr.. Shepherd
his successor, he still retaining his position
| as president of the board OF public works
| By act Of Congress the board of public
words In 1870 WAS abolished, and the gov
eminent OF Washington intrustcd to three
| commissioners in lieu thereof The greas
work initiated by Gov. Shepherd now de.
wolves upon then, aud they are directing
their efforts to the successful attainment Of
the policy he 80 ably and boldly iuaugurated
On the ielinquishment Of his position as
| governor nine wears ago, Gov. Shepherd pro-
| ceeded to BatopoliJ, Mexico, where he has
been largely engaged in mining operations,
and is said to be accumulating large for
tune. Gov. Shepherd Will remain here som
| days before returning to Mexico. He will
doubtless be agreeable surprised at th'
many improvements made duting his long
absence, and derive much qualification from
the fact that he initiated The great work un
der which so comprehensive a system was
conceived, and which has eliminated In
such grand and oversbadowlng results.
Washington, he will feel assured. will
now remain the permanent seat Of govern
ment. Nothing but the disintegration OF
the states can ieopardize its stability. The
action of the peoples representatives IN
Congress toward II, In the matter OF liberal
appropriations from time to time, is in full
accord with this idea. When Gov Shep'
herd arrives here he will doubtless be
astonshed at the magnitude OF his recep
t!on and the earnest and heartfelt gratitude
with which mis- friends and fellOw-citizeni
will greet him. w. j. w.